A Realm of Hell

Chapter 1

My life has been nothing more than a fleeting moment. It was a flutter of lashes, a rustle of leaves. It was evident, tangible, and meaningless. So, why is it that the person hidden within shadows frightens my soul? A life that had no light, no darkness, a world that has never once been swayed to live or to die. Why is it crying out?

"Who are you?" My voice, too loud against the silent creature, the one who crept into my room without a shuffle.

"Who am I?" A woman's whisper answers softly. It surrounds my ears, as if the voice itself was part of the shadows.

"Why are you here?" I question her again never once taking my eyes off the looming figure hidden in the darkness. My hand itching for my dagger.

"Hmm... that's an appropriate question," she praises pausing to take a step toward me, in turn making me take a step back. A chuckle is sounded from her silhouette.

"Who I am is of little importance, why I am here? Now that is something you should already know the answer to." Her voice, I can hear a smile in its tone, a sadistic, cruel smile.

"If you are here to kill me you missed your chance," I call, growing anxious at this game of cat and mouse.

"You seem confident," she ponders, "do you really think that is true?" taking yet another step forward, this time into the light of the moon. What greets me is a slender woman dressed in black. She stands tall invading this small room with her presence alone. Shadows seem to swirl around her, begging her to return to their embrace. A mask covers her mouth, leaving only her black slanted eyes to be seen. They squint as they look at me, in what I can only assume is a smile. This woman, she looks like night. A dangerous, calming night.

Her head tilts as she examines my figure. Having been caught in the night my chest is bare and my trousers are loose. Her eyes move slow, noticing every curve. Only stopping briefly on the dagger that was always strapped to my thigh, chills follow her path.

"I will make a wager," she announces after taking too long of a look.

"I am not interested in the wagers of an intruder," my words slightly breathless, the air stollen.

"Oh, you will be," her voice taking on an arrogant tone.

"If you do not leave I will have no choice but to attack," I say with a shake of my head, I cross my fingers as I take a step toward the night. Hoping..praying that I did not have to fight her.

"I like the way that sounds. Say it again," she purrs. When did we get so close? Like a magnet I was drawn in, her eyes drown me, pulling me under darkness and holding me there. My lungs forget about air, my eyes forget to blink.

She steps even closer, her clothes brushing against my chilled chest. Heat spreads as her gloved hand catches my chin, keeping my gaze purely on hers. I am being eaten alive.

"So bright," she breaths, hot air fanning my lips. Her thumb is unyielding under my chin, telling me there is no escape from this beautifully dangerous creature.

Her eyes sweep over my features throughly. I doubt they missed a freckle before they meet my eyes and where they rest and narrow.

"A wager," she says releasing me from her grasp and taking a step back. Air finally rushing into my lungs, the slow burn easing.

"If you are of some entertainment I will not kill you," the words effortless in her vocabulary stopping my thundering heart, "and I will do what I was sent here to do," she continues before once again brushing her chest against mine, "but if you do not not fight, if you do not show me your heart. I will know that you are unworthy. Your death will be short..I could never see such a face in agony," she stops leaning ever so close her mask brushing against my ear, "At least not in that kind of agony" she whispers turning away. My breathing thunderous just from the brush of cloth.

"Sent here to do?" I question, remembering all the information she had so.. graciously given me.

"That is for me to know," she murmurs, the twinkle in her eye murderous "and you to wager"